The Journey of Healing – Part 1: My Story & Invitation to Share Yours.

Coda Siblings! (I'm the teeny tot!)

As we embark on this fresh chapter of the new year, I want to begin by sharing something deeply personal. It’s a story that has shaped who I am today, both in my journey of healing and in the work I do to serve others. I hope it resonates with you and invites you to reflect on your own story.

Our life experiences—sometimes painful, sometimes joyful—are what shape our perspectives. Healing is a journey, one that often appears in unexpected ways. At times, we meet it head-on, open and ready to grow. Other times, we resist, too overwhelmed or afraid to face what’s inside. But, the beautiful thing is, healing always finds us.

Today, I’m opening the first chapter of my story, which I will share in three parts. This is where it begins:

I grew up in a unique environment, one that shaped my view of the world. I was raised in a Deaf family, and as a hearing person, I am what is known as a "Coda"—a Child of Deaf Adults. In my family, there were 8 Deaf relatives spanning two generations. Being part of this beautiful Deaf culture is a gift, and it allowed me to learn to express myself bilingually, both in English and American Sign Language (ASL).

Being a Coda also meant navigating a world that wasn’t always accessible. I witnessed, firsthand, the language barriers, the lack of access to services, and the silent frustrations that came with it. As a child, I often felt the sting of my family “being left out.” I could hear what was being said and I tried to bridge those gaps.  I often felt powerless to do it all.

As an empath, I internalized much of what I witnessed. The anger, the sadness, the frustration—it all landed in my body in the form of deep, somatic sensations. I often felt overwhelmed, anxious, or even in the midst of what I now recognize as panic attacks. As a child, I didn’t understand what was happening to me. I didn’t know why I felt so much or what these intense physical sensations meant.

But over time, I came to understand that these sensations weren’t something to fear. They weren’t just "anxiety" or "panic attacks"—they were, in fact, containers for my own wisdom. They were signals from my body, guiding me toward self-care, toward healing.

This is a crucial realization that I now bring into my work: when we take the time to connect with our inner world, we uncover powerful insights that can help us heal. The very experiences we often wish to avoid—the moments of overwhelm, the anxiety, the panic—can become the stepping stones to a deeper connection with ourselves.

As I continue on my journey, I am so grateful for the opportunity to hold space for others, helping them to recognize the wisdom within their own sensations and experiences. Part of my work is about creating sacred containers where people can explore and discover themselves more fully, where they can connect to their own inner guidance.

And now, I’d love to hear from you.

As a Deaf person, have you ever felt anxious? Do you have a unique difference—something like a skin disorder, a mother of alcoholism, growing up in a low income home—and has it impacted the way you see the world now?

Do you find yourself experiencing similar sensations of anxiety, overwhelm, or even panic? Have you ever wondered what they might be trying to tell you? 

I’m inviting you to share your story with me, whether it’s one sentence or an overwhelming surge of paragraphs. Let’s explore this together.

You are not alone in this journey, and I’d be honored to witness your story as you begin or continue your own path of healing.

With compassion,

Catherine

P.S. Stay tuned for part two and three of my story, where I’ll share how this journey deepened in ways I never expected. And remember, if you ever need someone to listen or guide you, I’m here. 💛